Asian Paints

“He has an overseas collector base and has participated in residencies in the US and Finland,” points out Chadha,handing out a catalogue that features a detailed profile of the 30-year-old artist. Kept alongside are catalogues of 17 other artists participating in the ongoing group exhibition “Siam Today” at the gallery. These,he says,help ascertain the credentials of his chosen artists. “Asian art reflects the cultural similarities shared in the continent,” he adds,as a red dot is pasted next to a Kongklin acrylic. A week since the opening of the exhibition,four works,priced at Rs 50,000 onwards,have been sold and one is on hold — sales figure not dismal for a market still recovering from the slowdown that led to collectors becoming cautious.

After bringing in western artists,Delhi galleries are gradually looking to art from within Asia,especially East Asia. While galleries like Arario from Beijing and Thavibu from Bangkok attracted attention at the India Art Summit in 2009,art consultants from India are now crossing borders in search of talent. After noticing the work of South Korean artist Jeong Hyun Sook at a Los Angeles art fair in January,Payal Kapoor,director,Arushi Arts,organised a solo at her gallery on MG Road in April. “Some works have found buyers,” says Kapoor,pointing out that the price begins at Rs 1 lakh.

Bhavna Kakar of the gallery Latitude 28 is,meanwhile,organising a group show of Chinese and Vietnamese artists. Partnering with Hong Kong-based gallery 10 Chancery Lane for the exhibition,she is also touring art fairs to scout for artists. She intends to showcase the artwork of select Asian artists at regular intervals. “People like to follow the artist whose works they purchase,” says Kakar.

The artists might not be as well-known as their Indian counterparts,but Kakar points out that their price tags too are lower. “Once there is awareness,the sales follow,” says Sunaina Anand,director,Art Alive Gallery,who organised an exhibition of Sri Lankan artist Senaka Senanayake in December and will soon showcase artwork from East Asia.

Additional effort,however,is required for promotion. Kapoor made calls to her regular clients,inviting them for Jeong’s exhibition,while Mocha Arthouse flies down artists. “They can introduce their work best,” says Deepali Gupta from Mocha. In December,Indonesian artist Narpati Awangga conducted a workshop on pixel art in the cafe where his work was part of a group show. “Our target is audience looking for unique art,” says Gupta.

Even as steps are taken to bring in international art,Rekha Mody of Habiart — that has artists from across Asia participating at its annual art fair in Delhi — points out that the taxation laws need to be amended. “The tax levied for an artwork brought to India for sale is around 20 per cent,” she says.